The Beaumont Bank Building Bewilderment. (original) (raw)

We once photographed this former bank building years ago (pre-digital) for its more than generous offering of stonework. The building was for sale even then. The carvings represent nearly every (manly) occupation in the Beaumont area when the bank was built.

There were farmers, concrete pourers, electricians, lumbermen, river pilots and even a rat-catcher. (Or at least a man that appears to be decapitating a rodent of some sort.) (See images)

The Beaumont Bank Building
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012

The overall impression of the building is a cross between an ancient Egyptian tomb and Scrooge McDuck�s money bin. Intimidating to would-be robbers? You bet. There�s only one entrance with a door that couldn�t be opened carrying both a gun and money bags.

But what of robbers who used fountain pens instead of guns? It appears as though the bank conferred with the detail architect and included two panels way up high on the building�s fa�ade.

They are hard to notice, even without pedestrians or traffic. These photos were taken from the middle of the street on a Friday afternoon. The panels show two neatly-dressed men seated at a table. Behind them are uniformed guards. In the first panel (left facing the building) there�s a large bag of money between the two.

In the second panel an un-uniformed man stands behind the man seated on the left. He�s holding two smaller bags of money while the man seated opposite him sits with his head lowered in apparent shame. The banker is holding a (finely etched) paper.

"There�s a large bag of money between the two"
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012

"He�s holding two smaller bags of money while the man seated opposite him sits with his head lowered in apparent shame."
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012

Since there�s no text present (Late Borrowers will Be Given Life Sentences) to explain the story, it�s confusing as to what exactly is going on. As ornamental bank details, they may be unique. Since the building is now for sale, inquiries cannot be made inside (as if�).

Anyone with a plausible or amusing story of what�s happening in these two panels can write to

editor@texasescapes.com with the subject line of Beaumont Bank Building. Emails will be added to this page.

Building Detail (one of 12 vocational panels)
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012

Serious Pouring
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012

In an over-the-door tableau, a banker implores hardworking Beaumonters to dress themselves.
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012

Deserted Downtown Beaumont at 6:20:
"Does anybody really know what time it is?"
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012